Marissa Gilbert, LCSW, MS

Navigating cancer treatment as a young adult serendipitously led me to become a therapist. Believing I had endured the accompanying stress and trauma, I did what so many do—I self-medicated through unhealthy coping mechanisms that I thought were perfectly “normal.” As each mechanism began to fail, I felt an even heavier weight of the traumatic experiences I hadn’t given myself permission to process.

I began my journey to recovery by surrendering to the fact that I could not heal on my own, turning to professional therapy and support groups with others who shared common experiences. I started to understand the deep difference between coping and healing, between surviving and truly living again – and the connective tissue of trauma.

I’m Marissa Gilbert, LCSW, MS, an EMDRIA Certified Therapist. I bring my clinical training and lived experience with cancer to my work with adults navigating medical trauma, cancer treatment and survivorship, chronic illness, grief, and life changes.

I draw from EMDR, parts work, and body-based practices. We start with where you are and what feels manageable. Some sessions focus on steadiness before a scan or appointment; others make room to work with a difficult memory. We decide together, check in, and adjust the pace.

I meet with clients in Austin and Lakeway, and online across Texas and Virginia. See office locations and directions or read about fees, insurance, and getting started.

In addition to being a therapist, I am an experienced facilitator and coach. I have delivered presentations and facilitated workshops in a variety of mental health and wellness areas. Most recent topics include Navigating Grief, Anxiety and Depression Reduction, Managing Chronic Pain, Stress Management and Burnout, Building Healthy Coping Skills and Trauma-Informed Care.

You don’t have to hold it all together to begin. You don’t have to stay in survival mode. Whether you’re seeking trauma therapy, support for a chronic condition, or space to heal from codependency and grief, there’s room for you here—our definition of “enough” is just as you are.

If you’re ready to heal–I’m here to walk with you. Let’s begin the journey of progress, not perfection.